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Former student destroys 59 university computers using USB Killer device

zdnet.com

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Re: Former student destroys 59 university computers using USB Killer device

#51

Post by Shaanie »

secfirstmd wrote: post #28
yial wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They bill it for “pen testers and police” so I would guess it’s really for people who imagine themselves / want to be within that audience. Not to be overly cynical. I suppose some pen testers, or actual CIA type folks might have some need of this type of device... but is that a large enough market?

Also activists / journos in some countries. I know we have looked at various emergency destruction techniques over the years.

USB killer would not be an appropriate way to do that, it'd just give a false sense of security.

Re: Former student destroys 59 university computers using USB Killer device

#52

Post by wetpaws »

1024core wrote: post #49
tyingq wrote: post #42

College of St Rose lists their tuition as $29,826/yr. So he did about 2 tuition years of damage. I wonder if he was worked up about student loan debt.

I'm guessing he's a rich kid from India, with rich parents who are bankrolling his education. I hope he gets the full 10 years. Nothing like the US Penitentiary System to teach you a lesson.

It's just a piece of plastic. Very intricate, relatively expensive silly plastic.

You are demanding blood and to trade off a huge chunk of human life for the silly piece of machinery (which he gonna pay fore anyway), are you feeling well, my friend?

Re: Former student destroys 59 university computers using USB Killer device

#54

Post by Thorrez »

geofft wrote: post #39
phire wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's designed to prove a point. To prove that USB devices can be malicious. It's probably most useful as an education tool, training staff not to plug random USB devices they find lying around the parking lot into their computers.

It's like hiring a gunman to start shooting up your office to train people about the dangers of social engineering, to prove that some people shouldn't be trusted.

Actively using it to harm others is different than just creating it.

Re: Former student destroys 59 university computers using USB Killer device

#56

Post by veryworried »

wetpaws wrote: post #52
1024core wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm guessing he's a rich kid from India, with rich parents who are bankrolling his education. I hope he gets the full 10 years. Nothing like the US Penitentiary System to teach you a lesson.

It's just a piece of plastic. Very intricate, relatively expensive silly plastic. You are demanding blood and to trade off a huge chunk of human life for the silly piece of machinery (which he gonna pay fore anyway), are you feeling well, my friend?

It’s not about the computers. This individual has demonstrated he has no regard or respect for others property, and may very well go on to commit other more serious crimes if he gets away easily with this one. Others may also feel encouraged to imitate what he did if there are no serious repercussions.

Re: Former student destroys 59 university computers using USB Killer device

#57

Post by egwynn »

SeanLuke wrote: post #53
ShorsHammer wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Newer Apple devices should be protected.

Why?

For a time, macbooks had opto-isolated USB ports[0]. I think they don’t anymore though.

[0] https://github.com/usbkill/community/wiki/Consumer-Laptop-Ha...

Re: Former student destroys 59 university computers using USB Killer device

#58

Post by egwynn »

mfgs wrote: post #38
acchow wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"-200VDC is discharged over the data lines of the host device. This charge/discharge cycle is repeated many times per second, until the USB Killer is removed" Is there any device that is supposed to survive this? In other news, throwing your computer in a fire also reveals a serious vulnerability.

You'd need opto-isolated data lines. I can't see any common devices having that.

For a while, macbooks were built this way: https://github.com/usbkill/community/wiki/Consumer-Laptop-Ha...

Re: Former student destroys 59 university computers using USB Killer device

#59

Post by Buge »

hprotagonist wrote: post #19
wodenokoto wrote: post #8

Any word on motive?

February-ish is normally acceptance letter time, but it doesn't make sense. He'd already graduated, and nobody get an MBA and then applies for further graduate study.

It was on Valentine's day. I wonder if that has anything to do with it.
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